RWK Goodman's family team in Oxford is headed by Simon Bassett, ‘a swift identifier of strategies and solutions' who regularly advises high-net-worth clients in financial disputes resulting from divorce, including those which involve complex business assets and require reputation protection. The team’s approach includes work with a divorce coach and a developing alternative dispute resolution offering. Vanessa Gardiner ’is a highly skilled, pragmatic lawyer', with experience in intervener claims in financial remedy proceedings, nuptial agreements, and high-conflict children cases.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Simon Bassett was always on hand to advise and support and I couldn't fault his responsiveness. He was pragmatic and unflappable.’

  • ‘RWK Goodman have a large team, providing expertise in all areas of family law. They are experienced and solution-focused. The team regularly refer clients to other professionals to create a team around them, so that clients are fully supported. RWK really understand the importance of holistic support.'

  • ‘Vanessa Gardiner is a highly skilled, pragmatic lawyer, with a robust yet empathetic manner. Vanessa has extensive experience working for clients who are experiencing divorce from a challenging, abusive or narcissistic partner. Vanessa is able to offer clients a full service including financial and children matters and she is not afraid to stand up for her clients when needed.'

  • ‘Simon Bassett leads a high calibre team delivering a very high quality service to clients, with practical case solution building as a guiding principle throughout. The firm is very well resourced for people, premises and systems, enabling clients to feel very confident in the representation of their interests, whether for negotiated or litigated outcomes. ’

  • ‘Simon Bassett's experience, abilities and personal qualities make him stand out as a swift identifier of strategies and solutions, with a personable style that is justly recognised by peers, judges and counsel as a solicitor of talent and effectiveness. He invests time in developing his team, leading to strength in depth at all levels of PQE experience.'

  • ‘The team is well versed in providing a good services for their clients. They are solid and reliable and are known to be a safe pair of hands. The team give robust and practical advice as well as providing the empathy and support the clients need throughout the process.’

  • ‘The associates and partners at RWK are a pleasure to work with on matters, as you know that they are committed to reaching a client focused resolution. It comes across in their correspondence in terms of style and tone. I have valued their ability to work together.'

  • 'Simon Basset is recognised as an expert in the field, due to his extensive knowledge about business structures and dealing with complex financial matters.’

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Simon Bassett

Other key lawyers

Vanessa Gardiner, George Chick